Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) have become a pressing global concern due to their persistence, mobility, and potential risks to human health. Compounds such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) are now detected in surface waters, groundwater, and even treated drinking water across Germany (Fig.1) and worldwide. Addressing these “forever chemicals” has therefore become a priority for research and innovation.
Since August 2025, our department (TUC) at ISWA has been collaborating with instrAction GmbH and Carbonit GmbH to evaluate advanced materials for the removal of PFAs from drinking water. The study focuses on four representative compounds as a worst-case scenario:
- PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
- TFA (Trifluoroacetic acid)
- PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid)
- PFBS (Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid)
Innovative filter cartridges developed by the two partner companies, based on engineered activated carbon and selective absorber resins, are being tested as point-of-use (POU) treatment solutions. POU systems are particularly valuable in regions where central treatment may be insufficient or where contamination can occur during distribution. Increasingly, they are also gaining relevance in industrialized countries, including Germany and the United States, as utilities and households seek reliable protection against PFAs and heavy metals.
The project is led by Dr.-Ing. Behnam Askari Lasaki under the academic supervision of Prof. Harald Schönberger and Prof. Patrick Bräutigam. Its findings will support the development of cost-effective, high-performance filtration technologies for safer drinking water.
